Just Passing Thru

events and reviews

Megaworld Partners with Lamudi Philippines

2:28 PM

#changedestiny

Sheng Nu: Removing the Stigma of an Unmarried Woman

1:31 AM

bad weather damage

Essential Home Checks That Could Save You $$$s

5:15 PM

There are lots of costs associated with being a homeowner. It comes with the territory. Carrying out a few simple checks throughout the year can save you a lot of money. Potential problems can be caught early before they become huge money pits. And a few simple tasks can prevent issues occurring.

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The best way to go about this is to create a tick list. Some checks should be carried out on a monthly basis and other less regularly. At the beginning of the year create a calendar and list items for the year.

Several Times a Year

Several times of year, it is a good idea to check your plumbing. This could be done at the start of every season. Or, depending on the age of your home, a little more frequently. Run the water in each room, especially guest bathrooms, etc. that are not in regular use. Flush all toilets. This will prevent dirt from building up and causing blockages. Inspect all plumbing for signs of leaks. Call a professional for complex problems such as sewer repair etc.

Visual check electricity. Make sure all appliances are functioning correctly. Check cables and outlets for signs of damage or wear. Always call a professional where electricity is concerned.

Check your home security by testing alarms and monitors. Make sure locks on doors and windows are secure.

During spring, check your home for signs of bad weather damage. Walk around the exterior paying close attention to the walls and roof. You’re looking for leaks, holes, slipped tiles, etc. Ensure gutters are free from blockages. Staining to the wall may indicate a problem with gutters or drainpipes. Remove leaves and other debris from drains.

In the fall, prepare for the colder months. Have your heating system and fireplaces inspected annually. Make sure chimneys are swept and maintained. Check windows and doors and ensure that seals are intact.

Check your driveway for signs of cracks and apply a sealant. Freezing water can cause cracks to expand and create more damage.

Every couple of months deep clean your home from top to bottom. Go through every room, including lofts and basements. At the same time check appliances such as ovens and refrigerators. Clean filters and vacuum fridge coils.

Keep your home tidy and free from clutter. Get rid of items you no longer need. Either give them away to friends or dispose of them in the required way.

Monthly Checks

Each month test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. This could save your life. Ensure any batteries are replaced at least twice a year. At the same time inspect your fire extinguishers. If you’re not sure how to do this, familiarise yourself with the process by reading the manual.

If you have a garbage disposal system, then clean this each month. This article will walk you through the process.

Most of these checks are common sense. It makes sense to keep your home clean, tidy and running efficiently. Appliances that are working will consume less electricity which will save you money. And actively looking for potential problems can stop them from turning into big bills.

arts

Benefits of Going to the Theater as a Family

10:18 PM

Going to the theater is probably not an automatic choice for most families when it comes to entertainment. I am referring to live theater where stage plays and musical performances are held like ballet and singing concerts. Our family loves to go to the movie theater like most people do but we have recently discovered the joy of experiencing the arts in live theater performances. As it appears, we are just starting.

Watching these performances were not actually intentional at first. I would be invited every now and then to watch such shows and write about them. The offer would usually be for two so I got the chance to bring any member of the family, whoever is available or whoever I think the show is more suitable for. Then I found out, we actually enjoy doing it especially if we are complete. Let me share with you the benefits we derived form going to the theater as a family.

Exposure to the Arts

Without a hint of snobbishness running in our middle-class blood, it is with great pleasure that I say that we are steadily developing a deeper interest in the arts. I realized this is very important if I were to give my children a wider choice in developing their preferences. How can I expect them to do that if I do not find a way to expose to them to the varied forms of art available? Exposure encourages them to have the confidence to try if participation in any form of art is something they see for themselves in the near future. They don't even have to make a career out of it. Genuine appreciation can help them arrive at better choices for other aspects in life.

Improve Communication Skills

"Practice makes perfect", we have heard this saying so many times that we tend to ignore it most of the time. Communication skills can be improved by hearing others use a language correctly, practicing it regularly, and by simply being curious enough to look up any word or expression used in a show that needs further understanding. I think the queries I answer from my children after watching a theater show stays on their mind longer or permanently compared to the review we do based on memorization. This is probably because they can instantly connect the answer to something they have seen.

Family Bonding Time

In watching theater shows, everyone is compelled to put attention to what is going on onstage. There is no place for gadgets that are the usual distractions in family time. While eating, we get to talk about the show instead of retreating to our own corners doing our own business. Each member is allowed to express what he/she thinks about it, with no judgment. It's just us judging the shows. We learn, we laugh, and we enjoy as a family.

My Say

As of now, we are very fortunate to be looking forward to shows put up by companies such as Ballet Manila, Repertory Philippines, and Dulaang UP. In between those shows are sprinklings of varied shows that come our way, each with its own merits.

That said, theater is such a fertile ground for family entertainment. You just need to consider age appropriateness specifically for young children to ensure that the family gets to enjoy.